“By now, every organization is at least aware of social media and probably has a LinkedIn group, Facebook page, YouTube channel and Twitter handle, among other things. Some are also using various listening tools to follow conversations online and even respond to so at least they appear as if they’re engaged with what’s happening with their consumers. But what most still don’t realize is that what they’re seeing, reading and hearing is actually a look into the future for their brand.”

“At the end of 2010, the research team at Pivot conducted a survey among its 700-plus attendees to reveal 2011 challenges, opportunities and the plans to organize efforts around them. The results were analyzed and underpinned the planning for the 2011 Pivot conference. However, the insights we learned in the process are far too valuable to keep behind the firewall. We’ve assembled the highlights into this report and are making it freely available to download, review and share.”

“QR codes are everywhere these days — in fine art exhibits, some cities’ building permits, wrapping paper and every imaginable kind of marketing campaign. QR code-focused startup JumpScan was kind enough to send along a graphically organized representation of some data they’ve gathered about QR codes — who’s scanning them, what kinds of devices they’re using and what brands are running QR code campaigns.”